Inflatable hanger

ABSTRACT

An inflatable hanger consisting of an inflatable triangularly shaped hollow body member having a valve along the base edge thereof for injection of air thereinto, and having a truncated apex portion which is joined to a rigid dome shaped flat segment having an aperture extending therethrough into which is connected a rigid hook for the hanging of the hanger on a closet rod and the like, the hanger being deflatable for ease of transportation and storage and being readily inflatable to provide a hanger of soft rounded contour for clothing eliminating disfigurements thereto, such as to knit items and the like.

United States Patent [191 Brunner 1 1 Dec. 2, 1975 1 INFLATABLE HANGER 221 Filed: Nov. 4, 1974 [21] Appl. N0.Z 520,446

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Netherlands 223/85 526.119 5/1955 Italy ..223/88 600,699 12/1959 ltaly 223/88 Primary Examiner-George H. Krizmanich Attorney. Agent. or Firm-Marden S. Gordon [57] ABSTRACT An inflatable hanger consisting of an inflatable triangularly shaped hollow body member having a valve along the base edge thereof for injection of air thereinto, and having a truncated apex portion which is joined to a rigid dome shaped flat segment having an aperture extending therethrough into which is connected a rigid hook for the hanging of the hanger on a closet rod and the like, the hanger being deflatable for ease of transportation and storage and being readily inflatable to provide a hanger of soft rounded contour for clothing eliminating disfigurements thereto, such as to knit items and the like.

1 Claim, 5 Drawing Figures U.S., Patent Dec. 2, 1975 3,923,212

INFLATABLE HANGER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to hangers and more particularly to a novel and improved hanger which is air inflatable in use and can be readily deflated and rolled into a small and compact package for ease of storage and transportation.

2. Description of the Prior Art A common difficulty associated with standard triangularly shaped metal hangers or of elongated shaped wooden hangers is that when used on knit items, such as sweaters and the like, they tend to stretch the same out of shape causing unattractive disfigurement thereto.

In addition, conventional metal wire hanger construction may prove hazardous to-persons or objects coming in contact with them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention recognizes the difficulties associated with the hanging of knit items on conventional hanger constructions, and provides a novel solution thereto in the form of a novel air inflatable hanger providing soft rounded contours for suspension of knit garments and the like therefrom in a manner preventing disfigurement or stretching of the garments out of shape while so suspended from the hanger.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide an inflatable hanger.

A further feature of the present invention provides an inflatable hanger which is relatively simple in its construction and which therefore may be readily manufactured at a relatively low cost and by simple manufacturing methods so that it can be retailed at a sufficiently low price to encourage widespread use thereof among the general public.

Still a further feature of the present invention provides an inflatable hanger which is possessed of few parts and which therefore is unlikely to get out of order.

Yet still a-further feature of the present invention provides an inflatable hanger which is easy to use and reliable and efficient in operation.

Still yet a further feature of the present invention provides an inflatable hanger which is aesthetically pleasing and refined in appearance.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the inflatable hanger of the present invention illustrated in its inflated position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the hanger of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the hanger in the deflated position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings in detail there is illustrated a preferred form of an inflatable hanger constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and which is designated generally in its entirety by the reference numeral 10 and which is comprised of an inflatable body member 11, a hanger member 12, and a hook 13.

The body member 11 is of a truncated generally triangular configuration having a horizontal base 21, a truncated horizontal apex top edge 22 provided with a U-shaped channel 23 extending therethrough and opening out of the top thereof, incline side edges 24 and 2S, and triangularly shaped front and back surfaces 26 and 27. A hollow compartment 28 is defined interiorly thereof with access thereto being by means of a hollow cylindrical valve stem 31 formed integrally therewith and projecting downwardly from bottom edge 21 and having a passageway 32 extending therethrough and opening out of top end 33 thereof.

For closing passageway 32 there is provided a cap or stopper 34 having a flat disc shaped head member 35 with a cylindrical stopper member 36 formed integrally therewith and projecting out of the bottom surface thereof and being of a diameter to be snugly received in passageway 32 when cap 34 is rested on the surface 33 of the valve stem 31. A flexiblestrap 37 interconnects the stopper 34 to the bottom edge 21 to prevent loss of the stopper.

The hanger member or tab 12 is of'a flat configuration having a flat front surface 41, a flat back surface 42, a flat horizontal bottom edge 43, and an arcuate curved top edge 44 which extends completely between opposite ends of the bottom edge 43. An aperture 45 extends centrally through the hanger member or tab 12 between front and back surfaces '41 and 42. The bottom edge 43 is received in channel '23 and extends completely there'along and'therethrough and is permanently secured thereto by means'of a suitable adhesive.

The hook 13 includes a hook portion 51 and a stem 52 which passes through aperture 45 and is then twisted back upon itself to be permanently secured thereto for use therewith. I

The body member 11 is manufactured of a vinyl plastic material having a 6 mil thickness and which may be provided in a variety of decorative colors and patterns appealing to prospective purchasers. The hanger member or tab 12 is manufactured of a solid polyethylene or polypropylene plastic material. The hook 13 is manufactured of metal, wood, or plastic material.

In operation, an individual inflates the body member 11 through valve stem 31 and then proceeds to hang garment thereover with the rounded contours of the edges 24 and 25 taken in conjunction with the rounded contours of the front and back surfaces 26 and 27 providing for a soft rounded contour for the article of clothing or garment hanging thereon to eliminate and prevent any disfigurements or stretching of the garment, such as when the garment is of a knit construction, such as a sweater and the like.

It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that this invention is not to be limited to the arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings, or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction as to shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the novel concepts thereof, or the scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 1. An inflatable hanger comprising, in combination:

a hollow body member of a truncated triangular configuration having a horizontal bottom edge, a horizontal truncated apex top edge extending parallel to the bottom edge, a pair of inclined side edges joining the ends of the top edge to the ends of the bottom edge, a front triangularly shaped wall surface, and a back triangularly shaped wall surface;

said body member being manufactured of a flexible vinyl plastic material having a 6 mil minimum wall thickness; 1

an airtight chamber defined interiorally of said wall surfaces;

a valve body member formed of a resilient hollow open ended elongated cylindrically shaped stem, one end of the stem affixed to said bottom edge portion of said body member intermediate the opposite ends thereof with the opposite end of said stern extending normal to said bottom edge and projecting vertically downwardly therefrom and terminating at a flat bottom neck end surface;

a cylindrically shaped passageway extending axially completely through said stem between said neck end and communicating with said airtight chamber at said opposite end;

a flat circular disc shaped stopper cap having a diameter greater than the exterior diameter of said stem neck end and having a flat outer surface and a flat inner surface and cylindrical side walls;

a solid flexible cylindrically shaped boss member disposed centrally on said stopper member inner surface and extending axially outwardly therefrom concentric therewith, the boss member being of a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of said stem passageway to be snugly received in the neck end portion of said passageway when said stopper cap is placed onto said flat neck end bottom surface of said stem to seal said passageway;

a flexible length of material having one end permanently affixed to a portion of said stopper cap cylindrical side wall surface with the opposite end extending outwardly therefrom and permanently affixed to said bottom edge of said body member to permanently retain said stopper cap with said body member in a manner permitting the stopper cap to be readily affixed to and removed from said stem;

a longitudinally elongated channel member of a U- shaped cross-sectional configuration having a flat bottom surface and parallel side wall surfaces, the bottom surface formed integrally with the truncated apex top edge and extending completely therealong between the opposite ends thereof with said channel opening upwardly therefrom;

a flat tab defining hanger member having a flat front surface, a flat back surface, a horizontal flat bottom edge having a length identical to the length of said channel member, and an arcuate semi-circular curved top edge extending completely between the opposite ends of said tab bottom edge;

said tab member being of a uniform thickness throughout;

said tab bottom edge being completely received in said channel member channel with said tab member projecting outwardly therefrom;

adhesive means disposed intermediate said channel member and said tab member for permanently securing said tab hanger member bottom edge to said channel member;

said tab hanger member being manufactured of a rigid plastic material;

a circular aperture extending through said tab member completely between said front and back surfaces thereof;

a hook member formed of an elongated rod shaped body member having one end bent into the shape of a hook with the opposite end extending downwardly therefrom and then bent at a ninety degree angle to pass through said tab member aperture after which it is bent again at a ninety degree angle back onto itself to pass upwardly therefrom in the direction of said hook end and, when passing said curved top edge of said tab member, is bent in a spiral manner about the rod member to permanently affix said hook member to said tab member;

whereby said body member is readily inflated with said hook member utilized for suspending said body member from a closet rod, nail and the like for the hanging and support of articles of clothing thereon. 

1. An inflatable hanger comprising, in combination: a hollow body member of a truncated triangular configuration having a horizontal bottom edge, a horizontal truncated apex top edge extending parallel to the bottom edge, a pair of inclined side edges joining the ends of the top edge to the ends of the bottom edge, a front triangularly shaped wall surface, and a back triangularly shaped wall sUrface; said body member being manufactured of a flexible vinyl plastic material having a 6 mil minimum wall thickness; an airtight chamber defined interiorally of said wall surfaces; a valve body member formed of a resilient hollow open ended elongated cylindrically shaped stem, one end of the stem affixed to said bottom edge portion of said body member intermediate the opposite ends thereof with the opposite end of said stem extending normal to said bottom edge and projecting vertically downwardly therefrom and terminating at a flat bottom neck end surface; a cylindrically shaped passageway extending axially completely through said stem between said neck end and communicating with said airtight chamber at said opposite end; a flat circular disc shaped stopper cap having a diameter greater than the exterior diameter of said stem neck end and having a flat outer surface and a flat inner surface and cylindrical side walls; a solid flexible cylindrically shaped boss member disposed centrally on said stopper member inner surface and extending axially outwardly therefrom concentric therewith, the boss member being of a diameter slightly larger than the diameter of said stem passageway to be snugly received in the neck end portion of said passageway when said stopper cap is placed onto said flat neck end bottom surface of said stem to seal said passageway; a flexible length of material having one end permanently affixed to a portion of said stopper cap cylindrical side wall surface with the opposite end extending outwardly therefrom and permanently affixed to said bottom edge of said body member to permanently retain said stopper cap with said body member in a manner permitting the stopper cap to be readily affixed to and removed from said stem; a longitudinally elongated channel member of a U-shaped crosssectional configuration having a flat bottom surface and parallel side wall surfaces, the bottom surface formed integrally with the truncated apex top edge and extending completely therealong between the opposite ends thereof with said channel opening upwardly therefrom; a flat tab defining hanger member having a flat front surface, a flat back surface, a horizontal flat bottom edge having a length identical to the length of said channel member, and an arcuate semi-circular curved top edge extending completely between the opposite ends of said tab bottom edge; said tab member being of a uniform thickness throughout; said tab bottom edge being completely received in said channel member channel with said tab member projecting outwardly therefrom; adhesive means disposed intermediate said channel member and said tab member for permanently securing said tab hanger member bottom edge to said channel member; said tab hanger member being manufactured of a rigid plastic material; a circular aperture extending through said tab member completely between said front and back surfaces thereof; a hook member formed of an elongated rod shaped body member having one end bent into the shape of a hook with the opposite end extending downwardly therefrom and then bent at a ninety degree angle to pass through said tab member aperture after which it is bent again at a ninety degree angle back onto itself to pass upwardly therefrom in the direction of said hook end and, when passing said curved top edge of said tab member, is bent in a spiral manner about the rod member to permanently affix said hook member to said tab member; whereby said body member is readily inflated with said hook member utilized for suspending said body member from a closet rod, nail and the like for the hanging and support of articles of clothing thereon. 